Thought-provoking and inspired profiles and visions of Chefs, Restaurants and Restaurateurs, Food Industry Specialists, and those in the business with interesting stories to tell. A digital calling card of those who sate our appetites.

Life is an adventure. Eat it.

about foodidude:

Ever since the word "Foodie" was coined by Paul Levy and Ann Barr for their 1984 book titled, The Official Foodie Handbook, there has been an inordinate amount of discussion regarding just exactly what the term means and what it designates.

Does it refer to the hobbyist simply following the latest beer, wine, or food trend? Is it merely the amateur enthusiast who loves food for consumption, study, preparation, and news? Or to take it one step further; those seeking to learn everything and anything they can about the science behind food, and perhaps, the industry itself? I've even heard it used to describe gourmets, who being tagged as epicures of refined tastes, simply wanting to enjoy the best food and ingredients available. It is quite possible the answer lies in the assumption that it could be any combination of all of the above or none of the above. Personally, I found it all so confusing and had resisted the term for years.

That is, until I read with some delight, "After some time of differentiating between the two, the term Foodie is now considered the term for food exploration and enjoyment, whether gourmet or not..." That, was a description I could live with. That was me.

Ironically, the word "Dude" has a bit of history behind it as well. It has endured a variety of meanings throughout the centuries; in fact, far too many worth mentioning here. Although its most recognizable connotation is simply, "a guy"or "a fella" - which in and of itself is okay with me - the definition that really caught my eye was; "a citified person visiting a rural location and sticks out". I'm an Italian who was born and raised in northern New Jersey and had been living in South Central Pennsylvania for more than a decade. I'm not too proud to say that during those ten years, I stood out like a penguin at a yard sale. All I had to do was utter a single world and my cover was blown! So in retrospect, what could be more fitting?

And there you have it. Simply put, I love the exploration of food and the enjoyment of food. In fact, I rejoice food, and in some regards, I'm still that penguin at that yard sale. Sprinkle in a tad of history, some kitchen magic and a penchant for weaving a tale from the most mundane experiences and you'll understand what makes the Foodidude tick.

As I like to say, "Life is an adventure. Eat it."~ Len Boccassini aka Foodidude